BIKERNET NEWS FLASH–THIS IS QUICK–THE RUN FOR BREATH REPORT, BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT AND BIKERNET ALCOHOL USE STUDY

Continued From Page 2

BIKERNET STUDY AIMS TO SORT OUT ALCOHOL USAGE– WASHINGTON (AP) — Alcohol is the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the medical world: Drinking too much causes serious problems, while drinking a little may help many people’s health.

How many drinks provide just the benefits and not the harm? It depends on whether a person is most at risk of heart disease, diabetes or breast cancer. But there is one bottom line: Five or six drinks only on Saturday night will provide no benefits, while a drink or two a night might.

So concludes an exhaustive new analysis by the National Institutes of Health that sorts out a plethora of sometimes conflicting research on alcohol’s effects.

The review was prompted by cardiologists’ complaints that patients suddenly were asking if they should start imbibing, and how much. Other research is overturning the dogma that people at risk of diabetes should abstain; still more links even light drinking to breast cancer.

Latest Health News

Adding confusion, people are vulnerable to more than one disease as they age. A 50-year-old woman with breast cancer in the family might get very different advice on alcohol than one who’s pre-diabetic with high cholesterol.

Hence NIH’s review:

“We are not encouraging anybody to start drinking,” stresses Lorraine Gunzerath of the NIH’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol, who led the analysis published last month in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

After all, alcoholism remains a major health problem, and people with liver disease may not tolerate even moderate drinking.

Instead, the report, aimed at people who already drink some, concludes that to get alcohol’s potential health benefits, how much those people can consume must be customized by their age, gender and overall medical history.

For many of these diseases, “If you do drink moderately now, fear … is not a reason to stop,” explains Gunzerath. “Some people have said, `Should I stop now because there’s diabetes in my family?’ Well, if you’re a moderate drinker, there’s some protection.”

As population-wide advice, consuming two drinks a day for men and one a day for women is linked to lower mortality and unlikely to harm, the review found. Men shouldn’t exceed four drinks on any day, and women three – bingeing is simply bad.

But NIH’s disease-by-disease findings provide better details:-Studies consistently show that in people 40 or older, consuming one to four drinks daily significantly reduces the risk of heart disease, the nation’s leading killer. In contrast, five or more drinks daily markedly increases heart risk.

However, frequency seems key. Consuming smaller amounts several times a week – one or two daily or every other day – is most heart-protective. It apparently takes low, regular alcohol exposure to help raise levels of the body’s so-called good cholesterol, the HDL type, and to thin blood.

-The alcohol-breast cancer link remains controversial. Some studies suggest a small increase in risk, that roughly 9 in 100 nondrinkers may get breast cancer by age 80 compared with 10 in 100 women who consume two drinks a day. Per person, that’s a tiny risk.

But women whose mothers or sisters had breast cancer, or those taking post-menopausal estrogen replacement, are at greater risk from alcohol. Those women, Gunzerath says, must weigh the fear of breast cancer against their risk of heart disease in deciding whether to avoid alcohol.

-One to two drinks a day several days per week seems to lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes, a disease rising at epidemic proportions.

Low levels of alcohol apparently help the body use insulin to process blood sugar better. The benefit was seen among the overweight and those with “metabolic syndrome,” a cluster of pre-diabetic weight-related symptoms that include high blood pressure and poor cholesterol.

-There’s no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, but what about while breast-feeding? Nursing mothers who want an occasional drink should consume it several hours before the next feeding, enough time to metabolize the alcohol so little reaches the infant. And contrary to folklore, alcohol does not aid lactation but temporarily decreases milk production.

How much is a drink a day? Five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits. To help people add that up, consumer groups are pushing for alcohol containers to list serving sizes and the moderate-drinking advice; the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau hasn’t yet responded.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD,AP Medical Writer

–from Rogue

STEALTH RUN FOR BREATH REPORT–The 6th Annual Run For Breath “In Memory of Justin Pullin” was held this past Sunday (July 25) here in Charlotte. It turned out to be our most successful Run For Breath ever. Before I get into the actual run itself, I want to give you some idea of what took place and what it took to make the RFB happen this year, so stay with me!

This was the most trying and toughest year as far as putting on the RFB. As far as our volunteer staff, we were hit with illness and we lost a member of our staff. Two of our members were diagnosed with breast cancer. They both are doing better. and we are all very thankful for that. Sandy’s (aka Meanest) mom, Jean passed away in April. Not only did we lose a great volunteer, we all lost a great friend. This took a toll on all of us but we pulled together to help the Meanest, and although it will never be the same, life has calmed. On top of all of this, at times I became very frustrated with the way the RFB was progressing. The MEANEST and I had discussed calling it quits after this year and had nearly sealed the deal. A couple of weeks ago, Carmen, the director of Camp Air Care, a camp for kids with asthma, came by to pay us a visit at work. The proceeds from the RFB go to Camp Air Care. Carmen presented us with a framed picture of all the kids at the camp holding a banner saying “Thanks for Supporting Camp Air Care”. It hit me pretty hard and I started to rethink. Rolling into Sunday the fate of the Run For Breath was still not clear.

Then the day started out with 150 riders meeting at the STEALTH headquarters. This was by far the most riders ever, usually we have around 60. As the time approached to pull out, I was startled by how many people were telling us how much they looked forward to the RFB and how much it means to them. The MEANEST noticed also. As we picked up the police escort to Ben’s V-Twins, the sign up location for the RFB, I looked in my mirror and saw the ribbon of bikes that followed, and I told Meanest that this is what makes all the work worthwhile. The riders who followed said the line of bikes was a mile long! Ben Edwards and his wife Robin are the hosts every year for the RFB poker run registration and always do a great job. We rolled out of Ben’s lot and proceeded to the memorial stop at the cemetery. This is always the toughest part of the run for me and I always feel the pain of losing Justin. This year the stop was even harder as we also paid our respects at Jean’s (Sandy’s mom) gravesite, since she was such a big part of the RFB.

We headed onto Tumbleweeds Bar & Grill for the bike show and music. Speaking of music we were in for a BIG surprise later in the day. As things started to unfold, The Meanest asked if she could make an announcement. I told her to go ahead. I had no idea what she had to say. She told the crowd about how much work and time went into the run and how we had pretty much decided to call it quits, but that after everyone had expressed how much the RFB means to the biker community here in Charlotte that there would be a 7th Annual Run For Breath “In Memory of Justin Pullin”. The crowd responded with a big round of applause and I was blown away. The announcement made the day for me! “Thanks Meanest,” my heart really wasn’t into calling it quits!

More bikes rolled into the lot and signed ups for the bike show than ever before. Speaking of the bike show, the awards were unreal! There was a crowd at the awards table all day and the best of show award by Mr. Bandit had it’s own table and was closely guarded all day with threats of bodily harm from me if anything happened to it! A total of 88 bikes competed for the awards and by the pictures you can see they were all top notch sleds. We had modern choppers, old school choppers, mild customs and even stockers, a little of everything!

New to the RFB this year, we gave away three awards for the riders who rode the longest distance. That’s what it is all about, right, RIDING! A lady from Long Island, NY took first, Fritz from Indiana second and Milo from Virginia took third. No matter where you live think about riding to the RFB next year. Also unique to the RFB, we give awards for the top sponsors, so there is always something for everyone!

As the judges’ sheets were being tallied we were paid a surprise visit by the KING himself, that’s right ELVIS! He performed for about forty five minutes and the crowd really got into it.

It was finally time for the bike show awards to be handed out. One thing I noticed about the awards, since they are all built out of motorcycle parts and by bike builders, not only locally but from places as far away as California, Detroit, Indiana and Puerto Rico, there seems to be quite a competition growing among the builders. This can only mean one thing, bigger and better awards! Maybe next year we will let the crowd pick the best of the lot! Thanks to everyone who took the time to make the awards. The list is too long to name you all, but you know who you are and how much your efforts are appreciated.

I have kept you in suspense long enough, the winner of the best of show award was Ben Edwards, owner of Ben’s V-Twins. His ’47 Knucklehead, “old school chopper” is a bike that would make any HORSE reader proud. Ben was blown away and Mr. Bandit’s award will be on display at his parts counter.

One part of the Run For Breath that doesn’t get mentioned much is the people that the MEANEST and I get to meet through the run. People like Bandit, Nyla, Jose, and the list goes on. This year we had the pleasure of meeting Fritz and his wife Brenda who rode in from Indiana. Fritz also made three killer awards for the bike show. Fritz is the real deal as far as bikers go. Fritz, you and Brenda always have a place to stay here in Charlotte!

So as the books were closed on the 6th Annual Run For Breath “In Memory of Justin Pullin,” it goes down as the most successful, raising $9000.00! It will also go down as one the most memorable. The one where it almost came to a close. I think, though, it will go down as the one that makes the RFB solid for years to come.

I’m gonna close out now and I want to thank all of our sponsors and all of our volunteers, without you the RFB would not be the success it is. Thanks again to all who made awards, you have made the bike show grow. Thanks to all who came up and expressed their feeling as to what the RFB means to you. Thanks to all who participated, the RFB has always been about you, you all are the stars of the RFB! Finally thanks to MEANEST. You made the most important announcement in RFB history!

As always we will be looking to improve this event for next year’s Run For Breath. Stay tuned right here for upcoming info. All of you are invited to the 7th Annual Run For Breath “In Memory of Justin Pullin.” Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 24, 2005.

The RFB LIVES ON!

–STEALTHMAN

BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–The calm after the storm. Everything is shipped and on its way to the US. Soon we will be rolling up and down Interstates heading to the Black Hills, as well as half a million others; we are heading to Mecca. This year is pretty cool, as you know the Bob’s Back event by Michael Lichter is taking place at the Journey Museum and we are some of the few chosen ones. It?s a tribute to David Mann, who well deserves it, but at most it will be a very cool reunion of friends who are into old school. I would dare say (without including myself and daring to sound cocky) the best of the best on Old school builders in the nation. There?s a group of friends that I call the band of the hand, at most will be there. These guys are the mark in which old school building is reborn, or not reborn, but those carrying the torch. To anyone that is able to make it, it will be well worth it. I for one can’t wait to see all the other bobbers that will be displayed.

On the same front, I have been getting reports of magazines here and there with a lot of interest on the styles of bikes we are building. Kopteri has done a pretty good spread on Puerto Rico and my friend Lojacks pan in its latest issue (if anyone has it, send me one please). Hardcore choppers from Japan went all the way to the Smoke Out to do the proper and Vibes from Japan as well had a pretty cool spread of the old school stuff in Daytona, including Fabricator Kevin’s shovel and many others. Even the new Chopper mag from Hawaii is jumping on the bandwagon and has just gotten a hold of yours truly as a monthly contributor.

Just as an example, an old school bob was the favorite bike at the Choppers Only show, which means a lot. The ripples on all this are obviously becoming waves. I have been predicting the demise of wide tires and going back to the old ways. We are building 5 right now and they keep coming in through our doors on a weekly basis, so why all this crap about old school bikes?

Well, it’s pretty simple; to me we?re all are part of this lifestyle to be unique, to be different. When the things that are done become mainstream, some of us need to part from that sameness. Don?t get me wrong, many of us have always done the same things and gone against the current trends, but we also need to show, as shop owners and builders what we are capable of doing, and sometimes what the customer wants, since we all have bills to pay. I try to bend people to follow what I like doing, or what I personally believe is cool, but like everything, it?s just an uphill process and struggle.

Like once upon a time (and not so long ago) we did custom bikes to be set apart from the stock Harley cool crowd. Then did whole customs for the same reasons. Now all these choppers are the latest fad, so people went back to jockey shift, kick-start and no front brakes, why? Not everyone can ride a jockey rigid with kick-start and no front brake, as simple as that. There?s some stuff and some talents that can’t be bought, no matter how big the bank account or how bright the credit card. I might not be getting a call from Discovery channel for the next build off nor getting covers on The Horse, but I’m certainly enjoying building the bikes I like and lots of em. Like I have said many times before, my biggest accomplishment is being able to reach all of you. Here, in magazines and any other media outlet, from a place that will not sound like a hot bed for bike building and still brings weird gestures form peoples faces when mentioned. Puerto Rico, with the liabilities and distance that is implies.

There’s very good projects on the making for these upcoming months. Good or bad, nothing beats getting together with a bunch of friends, all on Pans and Shovels and cruising down the beach roads, just like we did 15 years ago at the beginning. No worries, no egos, no nothing, just a gang of big kids having a blast, slapping those jockeys and setting off car alarms with those shotgun pipes…..

I will be on the road next week, but will try to squeeze a short report if possible.

As always……without history, there’s no future.

Jose – Bikernet Caribbean Reporter…..

Continued On Page 4

BIKERNET NEWS ALERT–BIG DOG’S 10 SECOND CLUB, CONSUMER ALERT, BIKERNET ADVICE AND VIAGRA CONNECTION

Continued From Page 1

CARIBBEAN REPORT FOR STURGIS–Here’s a taste of Jose’s bobber he built specifically for Michael Lichter’s Journey Museum display in Rapid City during the Black Hills Rally. It will also be featured at an up-coming Las Vegas Bike Show competition and featured in Easyriders.

Mike Lichter, famed Easyriders photographer, will exhibit his photography, sign his Motorbook Int. book dedicated to Sturgis photography and promote David Mann art in his exhibit devoted to old school bikes.

Jose built this bike just for Mike’s show. Mike specifically chose lesser known builders to give them the recognition they deserve, in addition to heavy hitters Billy Lane, Hank Young, Chica, the OCC pops. In a world gone wild with bike building celebrities it’s good to see a Bikernet Correspondent and owner of Caribbean Custom Cycles represented. Check out Jose’s bikes on his site below.

For more information on the Journey Museum display, Mike’s prints or books click below.

BIKERNET VIAGRA CONNECTION–This man got his prescription for Viagra, and goes home to get ready for… when his wife gets home. He calls her on the phone, and says, “I’ll be home in an hour.”

“Perfect,” she replies.

The man thinks her agreement is because the Doctor told him to take his Viagra an hour before. He takes the Viagra and waits. Well, and hour goes by, the man is ready to go, but no wife?

She calls him on the phone and she says, “Traffic is terrible. I won’t be there for about an hour and a half.”

The man, frustrated, calls his Doctor for advice. “What should I do?” he asks.

The Doctor replied, “It would be a shame to waste it. Do you have a housekeeper around?”

“Yes” the man replied.

“Well, maybe you can occupy yourself with her instead?” said the Doctor.

The man then replied with dismay, “But I don’t need Viagra with the housekeeper…”

–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com

Click banner for more info.

BIKERNET FINAL EXAM– The blonde reported for her university final examination that consistsof yes/no type questions.

She takes her seat in the! examination hall, stares at the questionpaper for five minutes and then, in a fit of inspiration, takes out herpurse, removes a coin and starts tossing the coin, marking the answersheet: Yes, for Heads, and No, for Tails.

Within half an hour she is all done, whereas the rest of the class isstill sweating it out.

During the last few minutes she is seen desperately throwing the coin,muttering and sweating.

The moderator, alarmed, approaches her and asks what is going on.

“I finished the exam in half an hour, but now I’m rechecking my answers.”

–from Rev CarlR

NEW JAQHAMA FICTION COMING–The master of the Swamp Story is beginning a new segment in a week or so. As soon as George Fleming completes his illustration, we’ll Rock.

HIT AND RUN LEAVES A BIKER BROTHER DEAD–The following report hit close to Bikernet home. The following involves Jim Murillo a custom painter who is working with Danny on a 5-Ball sign for the Bikernet Headquarters. It’s Jim’s Brother-In-Law. Read on. Our hearts go out to the family.–Bandit

A Las Vegas man was killed and another arrested Thursday night after ahit-and-run accident in the Silverado Ranch area.

The motorcycle rider, 39, died about 11 p.m. Thursday after his 1993Harley-Davidson motorcycle was broadsided at the intersection of Bermuda andPilot roads. Investigators say Michael Davis, the 26-year-old driver of the2000 Chevy pickup that struck the man, stopped for the stop sign but did notyield the right of way to the motorcycle.

Witnesses told police that Davis got out of the truck and walked towardthe victim before fleeing the scene. Metro Police officers, using a licenseplate number provided by a witness, went to Davis’ home but did not locatehim.

The man was transported to University Medical Center, where he later died.

Davis was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run after he calledpolice about 3:30 this morning admitting he was the driver.

BIKERNET CONSUMER ALERT, NEVADA FRAUD ATTEMPTS– > Nevada Power Co. has reported to Metro Police at least six incidences ofattempted fraud in Southern Nevada.

According to a spokesman for the company, people posing as power companyemployees threaten to cut off power to residents’ homes if the residents donot immediately make a credit card payment over the phone. The power company, however, would never ask for payment over the phone, aspokesman said. And customers who are at risk of having their power shut offare supposed to receive a letter in the mail 48 hours before their power isdisconnected.

Anyone who suspects they may have been a victim of fraud, should call theNevada Power Co. at 227-2359.

BIKERNET DAILY ADVICE– If you have a lot of tension and you get aheadache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle:

“Take two aspirin” and”Keep away from children”

–from Rev CarlR

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION CONGRATULATES RUN FOR BREATH–I just wanted to send you and Mike a note of thanks for the terrific job that you did with the ride last weekend. Carmen told me about the great turnout and bikers coming all the way from Florida–wow!

You have really touched hearts and impacted lives with your support. You have helped us continue to offer these camps (six across NC: the two day-camps in Charlotte, residential camps on the coast, in the triangle, and in Asheville, and a day camp in Hickory) at a time that we would not have been able to without such generous and caring support, and children’s lives have been changed as a result.

I know that Justin would have been so proud of what you do in his honor. I cannot imagine a loss greater than that of losing your child; your work is a living tribute to the boy you loved so dearly, and to the person that he was. On behalf of our Board and staff, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Deborah C. Bryan, MAEd
President and CEO
American Lung Association of North Carolina
PO Box 27985
Raleigh, NC 27611
Office:919-832-8326 ext.12
FAX: 919-856-8530
www.lungnc.org

BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES RIDER RACES INTO 10 SECOND CLUBTom Crow becomes the first member of exclusive club who raced a Big Dog Motorcycle, which is powered by an S&S 107-inch engine and Super G Carburetor

WICHITA, Kansas (July 27, 2004) ? Big Dog Motorcycles, the leader in the high performance, highly-styled cruiser niche and the second largest American V-twin motorcycle manufacturer, is proud to announce Tom Crow, an employee of the company?s service department, turned the quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds, achieving membership in S&S Cycle?s exclusive 10-Second Club. This is the first time a Big Dog motorcycle was used to achieve such status, and is the fastest S&S Club time recorded in Kansas history.

Crow completed the quarter-mile in an awe-inspiring 10.6 seconds, reaching a top speed of 124 miles per hour. With a reaction time of .40 seconds, he traveled 60 feet in 1.6 seconds and first eighth-mile in 6.7 seconds. The event took place at Wichita International Raceway on July 17, 2004.

?My reaction time could have been better, but I quickly made up for it,? Crow stated. ?The bike performed excellently,? he added.

Nick Messer, president, Big Dog Motorcycles, stated, ?We?re very proud of Tom; this is a truly impressive achievement. And we?re especially excited he achieved ten-second status on a nearly stock Big Dog Motorcycle he rides almost every day,? he added.

Powered by an S&S 107-inch engine and Super G Carburetor, his Pitbull was specifically tuned to gain enormous speed in such a short amount of time. ?It?s impressive to see our bikes can perform as well on the racetrack as they do on the streets. After the record-setting run, Tom road his bike fifty miles to dinner, though not quite as fast!? Messer exclaimed.

S&S Cycle supplies Big Dog Motorcycles with the engine components, then the engines are assembled to exacting specifications at the Big Dog Motorcycles? factory by its own employees. The 107-inch is the smaller of the two engines available on Big Dog motorcycles; the company also offers a 117-inch option. Regarding future engine development, Messer said, ?We have always focused on performance as a core design strategy. We have a great relationship with S&S, and are proud to run their engines.?

Crow, who now holds the Kansas record, has set his sights on Texas. ?I?m going after that record next,? he said with determination.

About S&S Cycle?s 10-Second Club:Continuing in the spirit of the 11-Second Club, the 10-Second Club is for registered and licensed street motorcycles with S&S carbs. Other rules include: no wheelie bars are permitted, and D.O.T. tires, full charging systems, and self-contained starters are permitted. Motorcycle must be street-ridden on a regular basis. To be a member, rider must submit proof that the motorcycle is equipped with an S&S carburetor and has turned a 10.999 or quicker quarter-mile.

BIKERNET TRIVIA–Did you know that the average person has 600 hours of sex between the ages of 20 and 70.

–from Rogue

Continued On Page 3

BIKERNET NEWS TOP STORIES–THE CRAZYHORSE DASH, BUELL RACING BLUES, CARLISLE FEST REPORT AND GOTHAM SHOW COMING

Sturgis blues. As the date nears I stare at the King and it calls me to hit the road. Maybe it’s the Bikernet women holding me back. They don’t like the notion of me riding through Arizona where the Phoenix babe lives or Colorado where, well you know. Don’t forget the girl in Wyoming I saw just before the Deer hit me, and Sturgis… Damn, I want to ride.

Let’s hit the news, I’m in trouble all over again:

IN A VACUUM– A blonde was playing Trivial Pursuit one night. It was her turn. Sherolled the dice and she landed on Science & Nature.

The question was,”If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?”

She thought for a time and then asked, “Is it on or off?”

–from Rev CarlR

WORLD CLASS, ALL-BRANDS MOTORCYCLE SHOW IN NEW YORK CITY OCT 9 & 10–The Gotham Motorcycle Classic (www.GothamMC.com) rolls into New York City October 9 and 10 on the decks and docks of the Intrepid aircraft carrier.

All makes, models and years of motorcycles are welcome, and with 32 classes of show bikes there is plenty for everyone from a four-cylinder Ace to a Zundap.

There will be plenty of motorcycle celebrities on hand showcasing their latest machines, including Roger Bourget, Indian Larry and Eddie Trotta.

Last year’s event featured over 200 classic and custom American and import motorcycles and over 11,000 people attended the event.

American Iron Magazine and RoadBike are the presenting magazines, and each will have staff on hand for a meet and greet sessions and to pick motorcycles for features in their magazines.

Saturday, October 9 is American Iron Calendar day, when a dozen classic and custom American motorcycles will be chosen for a photo shot on the deck of the Intrepid for the 2005 American Iron calendar.

Sunday, October 10 will feature judging for trophies and awards.

For more information, visit
www.GothamMC.com
write info@GothamMotorcycleClassic.com.

ADULT CORRECTIONS POPULATION HITS RECORD NUMBERS–

WASHINGTON — A record 6.9 million adults were incarcerated or on probation or parole last year, nearly 131,000 more than in 2002, according to a Justice Department study.

Put another way, about 3.2 percent of the adult U.S. population, or 1 in 32 adults, were incarcerated or on probation or parole at the end of last year.

A record 4.8 million adults were on probation or parole in 2003, about 73,000 more than the year before. About 70 percent of adults involved in federal, state or local corrections systems fall into this category. The states of California and Texas together accounted for about 1 million.

The number of adults on parole after serving a prison sentence rose by 3.1 percent from 2002 to 2003, to more than 774,500 people. That compares with an average annual rise of about 1.7 percent since 1995 for those on parole, a figure that has been increasing at a much slower rate than those in jails (4 percent a year), in prison (3.4 percent) and on probation (2.9 percent).

Since 1995, states around the country have increased the use of mandatory parole after prison release and cut down on use of discretionary releases overseen by parole boards, the report says.

The report, released Sunday, focused most on the characteristics of those on probation or parole. Its findings include:

* Almost half of all probationers were convicted of a felony, with 25 percent convicted of a drug violation.

* Washington state had the highest number of people on probation per 100,000 population, at 3,767. New Hampshire had the lowest rate at 426.

* Of the 2.2 million people discharged from probation in 2003, three out of five met the conditions of their supervision. Another 16 percent were jailed because of a rule violation or a new crime, with 4 percent becoming fugitives.

* About 95 percent of those on parole had been convicted of a felony.

* Of the 470,500 parolees discharged from supervision last year, 38 percent went back to jail for a new crime or a rule violation, with 9 percent becoming fugitives.

By CURT ANDERSON | Associated Press Writer

–from Rogue

BIKERS AND TV FANS FLOCK TO CARLISLE SUMMER BIKE FEST– The Carlisle (Pa.) Fairgrounds made the transition fromfour-wheeled to two-wheeled vehicles at Carlisle Summer Bike Fest, July23-25. A record 56,087 people visited the event over the weekend, many tosee the group from Orange County Choppers.

Famous chopper builders and stars of the Discovery Channel’s AmericanChopper, Paul Sr., Paul Jr. and Mikey Teutul, as well as Vinnie and Cody,appeared at the Carlisle Summer Bike Fest. Thousands of bike enthusiasts andthose who just love watching the family dynamics of American Chopper stoodin line for hours to get autographs and talk to the crew of Orange CountyChoppers, the shop Paul Teutul Sr. opened in 1999 to customize bikes. “We’dlike to thank all the fans that came out who’ve helped make us a hugesuccess,” said Keith Quill, director of operations for OCC. “We’d like toapologize if there was anyone we didn’t get to see. We didn’t expect such ahuge turnout.”

The Custom Builder Roundtable featured the best custom motorcycle designminds from the East Coast to the West Coast. Legendary builders DonnieSmith, Dave Perewitz, Roger Bourget, Eddie Trotta and other authorities onhigh-performance motorcycle products answered questions about the latesttrends in custom motorcycle building and the future of the custom-buildinghobby. Michele Smith, host of Speed Channel’s “American Thunder,” was themoderator of the Roundtable and also signed autographs for fans throughoutthe weekend.

Also at Bike Fest, the StarBoyz stunt riders amazed crowds with their insaneperformances. Other attractions included a judged bike show, Bike & Ridercustom bike competition, regional builder competition and a specialinvitational display. A 19,000-square-foot Harley-Davidson mall offeredaccessories and apparel for enthusiasts, and thousands of outdoor vendorssold all kinds of motorcycle equipment as well.

Ed Kerr and Rod Jones (Jonesy?s Custom Cycles), both of Carlisle, won theCustom Builders Competition. Nicole Iacono of Hockessin, Del., won thebeauty contest to be named Ms. Carlisle Summer Bike Fest. Bill Foster ofHanover, Pa., won the burnout competition and $500 from Koup’s Cycle Shop.Leah Gable of Elizabethtown, Pa., won the 2004 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6RRgiveaway on Saturday, sponsored by Koup?s Cycle Shop and CumberlandKawasaki. Kent McLean of Muncy, Pa., won the Vivid Black 2004Harley-Davidson FXDI Dyna Super Glide Injected, provided by AppalachianHarley-Davidson, on Sunday.

The 2005 edition of the Carlisle Summer Bike Fest takes place July 22-24.Visit www.bikesatcarlisle.com or call the Carlisle Events Info Line at (717)243-7855 to learn more about the Carlisle Summer Bike Fest.

ORANGE COUNTY FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION ANNUAL PARADE– Saw your article on Indian Larry and Gasoline Alley NYC. I woud love to be able to get in contact with Larry and invite him to bring one of his classic bikes to participate in a volunteer firemen’s parade in Orange County, NY. The Orange County Volunteer Firemen’s Association has been having an annual parade for the last 88 years, and our fire department has been around for 90 years. We thought it would be pretty neat to invite Indian Larry, who makes his bikes from scratch, to ride one of his bikes in the parade.

The 89th Annual Orange County Volunteer Firemen’s Association Parade will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2004, in Maybrook, NY. The parade begins at 2 PM. Hundreds of firemen as well as numerous pieces of fire equipment will march down Homestead Avenue in Maybrook. After the parade there will be food, soda, beer and souvenir tee shirts available for purchase. Come out and support the volunteers that put their lives on the line for no other reason than to help their community.

Jon Hansen
Maybrook Engine Company #1
EMTdRN@aol.com

BARNES FOILED BY MECHANICAL IN FORMULA XTREME AT MID-OHIO–Buell Rider on Pace for Season Best Performance until Engine Problem Ended Run.

LEXINGTON, Ohio (July 24, 2004) ? Kosco Buell/Innovative Motorcycle Research rider Michael Barnes battled for a podium position and a season best performance aboard his Buell Firebolt at the AMA Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme race held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course but was thwarted by a mechanical problem that forced him out of the race.

Barnes qualified eighth for the event, among the ever deepening field of solid Formula Xtreme entries. A great start moved Barnes up to fourth position by the end of the first lap, where he battled for a podium position with a pack that included Yamaha rider Larry Pegram, Suzuki racers Jason Pridmore and Vincent Haskovec, and Ducati-mounted Doug Chandler. Barnes was in fifth place on lap 12 of the 16-lap event, when he experienced an engine problem that ended his race. The race was won by American Honda factory rider Miguel Duhamel, who also leads the series in season points.

The Hal?s Performance Advantage team, which has also been contesting the AMA Formula Xtreme series with a Buell Firebolt, skipped the Mid-Ohio round to let rider Mike Ciccotto recover from injuries suffered in a super-moto training accident. The Hal?s team plans to be back in action at the next Formula Xtreme event.

?Michael put in a great ride,? said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company. ?These Buell dealer teams are going through a big learning year, as they have not competed at this level before, and the bikes are still under development. But each race they get stronger, and they definitely have respect now. The AMA is right on target with Formula Extreme. The class is really exciting. It?s the class with the most brands able to participate, and the rules structure appears to have created a fair playing field. We hope to see the entry list and the mix of machinery continue to grow at every event.?

AMA Formula Xtreme is a class open to highly-modified motorcycles with 600cc four-cylinder engines or larger-displacement V-Twin engines. The next stop on the 2004 AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship schedule is Sept. 3-5 at Road Atlanta near Braselton, Ga.

THE CRAZY HORSE PRE-STURGIS REPORT–I figured I could slow down after I finished my chopper in Jan, especiallyif it did well at the bike show, which it did.

Then suddenly the gettingready for riding season rush was on and I was buried in customer work and inwriting a How To Custom Paint Bikes book from Motorbooks International. I tell myself that things willslow down after I finish the book. But I finished the book and immediatelyleft for the Smoke Out. I could rest after that. Then Sturgis was only amonth away and my husband was without a bike having sold his.

So the rush was on to paint his new bike, and seeing how his wife is acustom painterwho thinks she is expert enough to write a custom paint book, this paint hadto be extrawild. Three layers of airbrushed flames covered the frame, tank, fenders, oiltank and headlight. Making things even more stressful was the fact that thebike had to be painted, assembled and running in less than a month. So ofcourse all kinds of things seemed to go wrong. The starter didn’t fit. Theprimary cover was cracked. The bars chosen turned out to be ugly when boltedon. And the air cleaner Jim picked out, which looked cool as hell in thecatalog, was absolutely hideous.

The seat came back from a wanna beseatmaker and was so bad, Jim would not even show it to me. This kidcame into the shop and showed Jim his work. It looked good and Jim alwayslikes to give folks a chance. Bad mistake this time. He rushed the seat downto his usual guy and the guy sent it back looking great in no time flat.

Tuesday night, the tank was bolted on and today, it will be kicked off forthe first time. I wasn’t sure if the paint scheme would work. Would itbe too busy? Too much magenta? No time to think or plan, just paint and now, three weeks later, it looked worth it. No nights off, going out for drinks or dinner.No relaxing rides in the countryside on our bikes. No sitting aroundwatching bike shows on tv. It was a bike build off right outside in thegarage, only no team of builders, just one old guy coming homefrom work and putting in 2-3 hours a night. In 7 days we will beleaving from Gastonia, NC for Sturgis. Hopefully the rest of the buildingprocess will run smooth.

Next the bike leaves for Jim’s daytime shop at Carolina Harley- Davidson.He’ll tune the bike and the staff will put it on the dyno and dial in thedigital speedo. He wants to change the seat springs on my gooseneck chopperand fine tune a few things on that bike before we leave. The speedo on thatbike also needs dialing. It now reads 255 mph when I’m putting down side streets.

By the way, my gooseneck appears on the cover of the Sept issue ofEasyriders. Some 14 years ago when I was extremely poor, broke, and hungry, agood friend told me that my bike would be on the cover of Easyriderssomeday. At the time I had no bike. I’d sold my ’66 Triumph to pay rent ayear earlier. I was lucky to have gas money at the time. I thought my friendwas full of pipedreams. Turns out, he was right. He died 3 years aftermaking that comment. I’m dedicating my next book to him.

Speaking of books,book 1- “How to Custom Paint Your Motorcycle” is in the editing process.Editing a technical book is pretty stressful as one thing placed in thewrong spot can be a big problem. Bikers can be extremely criticial and anymistakes I make, I’m sure I’ll hear about them over and over again.

Book 2-” Basic Motorcycle Painting” is being written.Nine days after I return from Sturgis, I’ll attend the Sportster giveaway partythat SunDrop soda is throwing. They are celebrating 50 years of SunDrop bygiving away a 2004 Sporty. I airbrushed a pinup girl from the ’40s on thetank back in May. The day after the party, I hook up with two friends fromFlorida and ride the gooseneck up to Virginia where the bike club I belongto, The Amazons, is holding their yearly gathering. We have ladies riding infrom as far as California and Vancouver.

So it appears the slowdown I’vebeen waiting for since Jan isn’t happening anytime soon. Everyone headingout to Sturgis– have a fun and safe trip out and back. And ride with extremecare while there.

–CrazyHorse

Continued On Page 2

BIKERNET NEWS ALERT–KAWASAKI DEAL, LEGALIZE POT, TITTY BAR FIGHT, REAR PULLEY CAN BE FIXED, NEW VICTORY MODELS AND H-D MOVES TO SOUTH AMERICA

Continued From Page 3

MAJOR MOTORCYCLE ART SHAKE-UP–Some of these artist were represented by Segal Fine Art for as long as 16 year. Segal lost the license with Harley-Davidson which meant only one thing, they had to strike out on their own.

Traditionally David Uhl, Tom Fritz, Jeff Decker and of course, Scott Jacobs have been notable licensed artists for years and now they’re back as officially licensed Harley-Davidson Artists under their own title.

We’ll keep you up to date on their works that will be sold throughout the dealer network.

Ron Copple
http://www.art-inc.biz

HARLEY-DAVIDSON INCREASES SOUTH AMERICAN SALES AND PRODUCTION– BRAZIL is to become the South American export base of Harley-Davidson.

It has been revealed that the company will distribute clothing and accessories from Brazil to a number of Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay.

This action is hoped to increase income from non-motorcycle sales in the region by 60 per cent. Brazil is one of the few large-scale manufacturers of H-D brand clothing and accessories. Currently, 50 outsourced suppliers manufacture 40 different items.

Worldwide sales of ‘general merchandise’ are increasingly important for H-D. In 2003, this sector of trade accounted for $202.1 million revenue (excluding additional sales of 100th-anniversary memorabilia), a growth of 11 per cent compared with 2002. In South America, the rate of increase is even stronger, with sales growing by approximately 20 per cent each year.

Mexico, as a country in which H-D already has 12 dealers and four stores, is a particularly important target. In this country, the manufacturer expects to increase sales of clothing and accessories, and also hopes to significantly expand the volume of motorcycles sold. Ninety per cent of these machines will be assembled in H-D’s plant in Manaus, Brazil.

FLORIDA DUI ALERT–The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has asked Florida and 12 other states to participate in a sustained enforcement effort. The Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) Safety Office is responsible for implementing this You Drink and Drive. You Lose. Sustained DUI Enforcement Program in Florida. Administrative duties for the effort will be handled through a grant with the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM).

The You Drink and Drive. You Lose. Sustained DUI Enforcement Program targets those counties that report 60% of the state’s alcohol-related crashes. Fifteen Florida counties – Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Lee, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Leon, Manatee, Pasco, Polk, Sarasota and Volusia – accounted for 71.8% of the state’s alcohol-related crashes in 2001. These 15 counties are the focus of the sustained effort.

–from Rogue

SHOW CIRCUIT COMPETITION HECTIC– Bike Shows, Biker Build Offs and Just Every Kind Of Competition That You Can Think Of Concerning Motorcycles Has Gotten Hectic. Well known and famous builders are constantly striving to build another motorcycle that will encourage bikers to vote for them. Though the motorcycles are pieces of art in many cases the engines have been kind of blah until recently. Okay they were chromed, polished or powder coated and some times contain exotic exhaust and carburetors.

That has all changed when Bill Lane of Choppers Inc. had Berry Wardlaw of Accurate Engineering in Dothan Alabama build the engine for a Camel Show Bike. The engine was such a success that Billy continues to use them. Other builders like Indian Larry have had and continue to use Accurate Engines with their creations. As a matter of fact when Billy and Larry did the Discovery Channel Build Off they both used Accurate Engines.

OKAY, See where I am going with this? Accurate Engineering Engines are the Choice of The Show Winners. Watch for more of them in upcoming competitions and Build-Offs.

The photo is a sample. If you are interested in a engine of any kind you can visit the Accurate web site at http://www.accurate-engineering.com, or phone them at 334-702-1993

Yes I do use their engines in all my motorcycles because I think they are the Best Out There.

–ROGUE

JUDGE DENIES NEW TRIAL FOR CONVICTED MIAMI OFFICERS–Men Among 13 Charged With Planting Guns, Cover-Up.

MIAMI — A judge denied a new trial Wednesday for four Miami police officers sentenced to federal prison in a plot to plant guns after the police shootings of unarmed suspects and to cover up the wrongdoing.

But U.S. District Judge Alan Gold agreed to consider why prosecutors dropped charges against the last of 13 officers charged in the conspiracy. Two trials ended in nine convictions or guilty pleas in the biggest corruption scandal to hit the department in a generation.

The judge asked for ?a detailed explanation? and any documents from federal and state prosecutors and Miami police to justify the dismissal of charges against Sgt. Jose Acuna last month. Prosecutors must provide their reasoning and supporting papers under seal.

The four convicted officers are free on bail while appealing their convictions and sentences ranging from 13 months to three years. They are Jesse Aguero, Art Beguiristain, Jorge Castello and Oscar Ronda.?The secrecy of the dismissal and the lack of reasoning on any record is something that bothered not only us but the judge,? said Richard Sharpstein, attorney for Beguiristain and Castello. ?We believe that when all of that comes to bear, we?ll be in a new trial situation.?

The U.S. attorney?s office had no comment.

–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com

NEW MODELS ON BIKERNET FIRST–We’ve done our best to bring you all the new model info first. This way, if you make it to Sturgis you can hunt down your favorite.

We’ve all been H-D fans for decades, but try a Victory. I was knocked out by the Vegas and may build a custom Vegas next year. Check ’em out. They’re on the home page or in Special Reports now.

–Bandit

FINALLY, THE BLONDE JOKE TO END ALL BLONDE JOKES!– A girl was visiting her blond friend who had acquired two new dogs, andasked her what their names were.

The blonde responded by saying that one was named Rolex and one wasnamed Timex.

Her friend said, “Whoever heard of someone naming dogs like that?”

“HellOOOooo,” answered the blond. “They’re watch dogs!”

–from Rev CarlR

WORLD’S ONLY ANSWER TO WORN PULLEYS– After 5 years of proto-typing and testing, Super Max now offers the world’s only answer to worn pulleys.

We now can replace the teeth on almost all stock factory and aftermarket 65 and 70 tooth rear wheel pulleys, increasing their wear-ability by at least FIVE times. The fancy aftermarket pulleys that you have paid enormous buck’s for and are gone in as little as 15 to 20,000 miles can be over-layed by Super Max to retain the “LOOK” that you now have. They will outlast “ANY” pulley currently on the market regardless of who made it.

Super Max pulleys have been on the market since the early ’70s and as many of you know, They do not wear out. Our “Space Age” materials have the best “Wearability” of all.

We offer these over-Lays in a variety of colors as well as Black. They are quiet as well as functional. The ‘Squeal’ associated with many drives is gone. These pulleys are not affected by sand or small debris as long as the recommended tensions are adheared to, these pulleys should outlast the motorcycle, regardless of miles ridden.

Many customers ask, “How far will your pulleys go?” and our answer is, “We still don’t know.”

Send Super Max your old pulley to us and we will perform the conversion for you…Retail…$300.00

“PHIL ROSS”
Supermax Belt Drives
supermaxbelts@hotmail.com

Photo by Frank Kaisler

PALM BAY CLUB GODDESS AT WAR WITH CITY–After a decade-old battle with Palm Bay, Club Goddess now has filed a lawsuit against the city.

In the latest round, the club complained that Palm Bay police officers intimidated patrons by offering them free alcohol breath-testing as they were leaving the business.

The complaint said that in one case, a patron at the club blew into a breath-testing device, then said he was going to sleep in the back of his vehicle. Police told him that if he got anywhere near the vehicle, he would be arrested.

“As the city is aware, my client, Your Dreams Inc., is concerned that the city has instituted a policy of harassment geared toward closing or crippling its business,” attorney Steven Mason wrote to attorneys representing Palm Bay on the issue.

Palm Bay city manager Lee Feldman was not available last week. An assistant referred questions to an attorney for the city. The attorney did not return a telephone call to his office.

–Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com

MAKE POT LEGAL, AND WE’LL BENEFIT–Ah, there’s nothing quite like summer in the Sierra. Mexican drug cartels. Hidden marijuana gardens. Camouflaged rangers armed with M-16 rifles seeking out hoodlums toting AK-47s. Know what?We can end this desecration of national parks, the threat to public safety and the drain on taxpayers by dumping the prohibition on adult marijuana use.

Before explaining why America should abandon its failed war against marijuana, I’ll answer the big question. I’ve smoked dope. More than once. Unlike Bill Clinton, I inhaled. Then, like millions of other baby boomers, I matured a little bit and stopped. But if I had kept smoking marijuana, why is it the government’s business?

Adults in this country use alcohol and tobacco without fear of being arrested or having to obtain those drugs from criminals. Marijuana shouldn’t be any different. The worst thing about it is that it’s against the law.

By deeming cannabis illegal, we waste $10 billion to $15 billion a year turning citizens into criminals and compound that mistake by turning over the cultivation, distribution and sale of the drug to gangs.

Make pot legal, and hikers don’t have to worry about getting shot because they stumble into a marijuana grove in Kings Canyon National Park.

Make pot legal, tax it and regulate it — as we’ve done with alcohol, tobacco and gambling — and everyone but the drug cartels is better off.

A marijuana tax could pay for drug education. Why is a declining percentage of Americans addicted to tobacco? Because it’s been drummed into our heads tobacco is bad for us.

The tax also could help fund schools and public safety. Freed from chasing down otherwise law-abiding pot-smokers, police could focus more on violent criminals.

Farmers would benefit, too. Instead of growing food and fiber subject to market volatility, they’d have a guaranteed cash crop. There might not be a better place than the San Joaquin Valley — with its long growing season and fertile ground — to grow the stuff.

One objection to legalizing pot is children would have more access to the drug. Actually, they’d have a harder time getting it. Legal pot would reduce the black-market trade, and approved sellers would risk losing lucrative licenses by making underage sales.

Besides, how could pot become any easier to get than it is now? Two Fresno middle school teachers I talked to last week said it’s readily available on their campuses.

Legal pot sounds like a radical idea, but it isn’t. William F. Buckley Jr., flag-bearer for American conservatives, says marijuana prohibition is costly and hypocritical.

Last month in National Review Online, Buckley wrote: “General rules based on individual victims are unwise. And although there is a perfectly respectable case against using marijuana, the penalties imposed on those who reject that case, or give way to weakness of resolution, are very difficult to defend. If all our laws are paradigmatic, imagine what we would do to anyone caught lighting a cigarette, or drinking a beer. Or – exulting in life in the paradigm – committing adultery. Send them all to Guantanamo?”

In other words, our marijuana laws smell like they were written by someone smoking too much pot. They need reform.

by Bill McEwen, The Fresno Bee

–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com

JAMES STEWART AND KAWASAKI SIGN AGREEMENT– Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki Racer Signs through 2006.

IRVINE, Calif. (July 29, 2004) James Stewart, the young supercross-motocross phenom from Florida, today signed a two-year agreement to continue with the Kawasaki motorcycles that have taken him to multiple national championships

BIKERNET LEGAL FILES–Bozeman, Montana, has a law that bans all sexual activity between members of the opposite sex in the front yard of a home after sundown – if they’re nude. (Apparently, if you wear socks, you’re safe from the law!)

–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com

WE’RE CLOSING THE DOOR ON THE THURSDAY NEWS–That sounds so fuckin’ official. It’s a tad late, but the guys on the east coast will just be rolling in from work.

Here’s a couple of shots of us old farts during our Monster Garage Segment. On top is Custom Chrome master designer for 30 years, John Reed. What a character and an incredible talent. Behind him is Carl Morrow the master of Carl’s Speed Shop in Daytona.

This shot shows my ugly self and old friend Don Hotop, of Don’s Speed and Sport in Fort Madison, Iowa. If there was ever a master builder, Don’s the man. He builds nearly every Drag Specialties project bike. I’ll tell you why. When he hands over a bike, it not only looks sharp, but it will run forever. Guy has a lot of class. This segment on building an Old School Chopper from a stock 2004 Heritage Softail will air on October the 11th. Don’t miss this one.

I want to slip out of the shop this afternoon after I pound iron and shower. I need to ride to a local bar and check out the bartender. She’s a Hispanic goddess with tits forever. The bar is tiny and frequented only by longshoremen and local drunks. She doesn’t deserve to be there. I need to rescue her…

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH–NEW VICTORY BIKES FOR 2005, BRADY’S SUICIDE SHIFT, RIGHT-OF-WAY LAW PASSED, AUSTRALIAN BIKE MUSEUM CONNECTION AND DRUNK GERMANS

Continued From Page 3

BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT–Tuesday, 6 am, felt like I got hit by Vito the bat boy-bill collector. I guess the 18 to 20 hour days took their toll. I was hit with my worst enemy, a fucking flu that had me bedridden for a whole day. A very precious day I needed to finish the bob for Sturgis. Let?s not even think that I felt like shit and my kidneys felt like they had been kicked by combat boots on an Skin Head let’s beat the puertorican party. All that worried me is that the bobber had to be done, my word was played on it, and you know how I am with my word. I’m still fucked up and floating around the life of the spaced out and cold induced trance, but I still managed to get up and got to the shop, had to finish, no matter what. I guess all those extra hours catch up and when they do, it sucks….Big time.

I also had sent the news to hell, my report was not going to be in Bikernet once more, something that I seldom do, but as everything turns around, here I am, late in the morning, just pounding the key board, one of those nights that you wake up and doze off dozens of times, I guess you know what I mean, and it sucks.

I have not posted any photos lately, and almost no report as well, since all I have been working on is the bobber and the shipping to Sturgis. Yeap that time of the year is back again and I always forget what a pain in the ass it is. Then again, we still do it. I will release the bobbers photos soon, I’m just waiting on getting to the Black Hills so it will be a surprise for all. Not that it will become a standard in the building industry, but it will be cool to keep the expectation, and I like it, so that’s it.

I know many of you are awaiting my Hawaii story, and I do have part of it already done, but I need more time to finish it up, I’m also waiting on Bandit’s and Glenn’s side of the story, to me it’s always as interesting to hear someone elses view of what I lived and how they perceive things…..Come on..get to work you bums!

By the way, if you are in Sturgis, come by the Journey Museum for the Bob’s back exhibition. I’m really looking forward to it and seems there’s going to be a press and media frenzy, it’s Tuesday, 10th. I believe at 4:30 pm, it will be tribute to Dave Mann, and that guys does deserve it. You can see all the cool bobs there and even try to whack me on the head, and I mean try, if you are one of those who don’t like me.

On the Puerto Rico front, I’m working on like 6 bobbers/choppers right now, so guess what, Bob’s back, and I dare to predict that in the near future 280 tires and such will be a thing of the past. We will go back to the venerable 130’s, unless you happen to be a rubbie wannabe who loves watching TV shows of your local heroes…

Anyway, let me get out of here, since I feel like shit and before I start receiving e-mails that I got nasty towards a bunch of clueless dudes, which will prompt me to unleash all the fury, since I don’t feel like being my amicable self….Anyway, for those of you who expect these words week after week, thanks, I hope I have not let you down.

Jose sick as a fucking dog, Caribbean Bikernet Reporter

VISIT THE PLASMAGLOWWEBSITE AT– http://www.plasmaglow.com or call us at 480-222-0285 or 877-878-4569.

If you are interested in becoming a PlasmaGlow Authorized Dealer or Distributor, call our sales team today!

PlasmaGlow
130 N Sunway Drive # 4
Gilbert, AZ 85233
mailto:sales@plasmaglow.com

HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT SURVIVES TEST RUN–Here is a real good finished side shot of the pan withthe Paul Cox seat on it and a pic of me on it lastSaturday at the BOOGIE.

Kevin Baas
BAAS METAL CRAFT
Custom made steel signs, art, furniture and fabricated parts.
www.baasmetalcraft.com
952-215-1252
“When in doubt, burn out!”

FBI AGENT CHARGED WITH DUI– CLEARWATER – An FBI agent was arrested last weekend after Clearwater police found her asleep in her car at an intersection with the car running and she fled the scene once she awakened, court documents state.

Elizabeth Elaine Scott, 37, was charged with felony fleeing and eluding and with driving under the influence of alcohol. One reading of her blood alcohol level was .183 percent, more than twice the 0.08 percent threshold where a motorist in Florida is presumed drunk, the documents state.

Clearwater police spokesman Wayne Shelor said that at roughly 8:30 p.m. Saturday, authorities received a report that a green BMW Mini Cooper had been involved in a hit- and-run wreck on Devon Drive on Clearwater Beach.

Scott was found asleep in her green 2004 Mini Cooper at the intersection, arrest affidavits state. The engine was running and the car was in drive, the affidavits state.

–by Stephen Thompson, Tampa Bay Tribune

–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com

ONE IN FIVE GERMANS DRINK TO GET DRUNK BIKERNET SURVEY REVEALS– LONDON (AP) — Almost 1 in 5 German adults – or 17 percent – believe the point of drinking is to get drunk, according to a survey released Wednesday.

Only 8 percent of Britons drink to become stupefied, according to the survey by Mintel, a market research firm.

“Drinking can be more of a low-key social event in Britain than some may have believed,” said Michelle Strutton, consumer analyst at Mintel. “Although Germans may not go drinking as often as the British, when they do drink, many do want to get drunk.”

The average German adult drank 255 pints of beer last year, 35 more pints than his British counterpart, the survey found.

Mintel’s survey of 35,000 consumers covered France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Britain.

Spain, the third-largest consumer, was the fastest-growing market for beer, but Italy was likely to overtake it. Beer consumption in Spain grew by 17 percent since 1998.

France’s consumption was down 13 percent since 1998, though sales of premium beers were holding their own.

Britain has the highest percentage of beer drinkers in Europe, with 61 percent of adults – including 82 percent of men.

In the United States, annual consumption per person in 2002 was around 175 pints, according to industry figures.

–from Rogue

DA, DA, DAMN, SHA SHA SHOES–Sha Sha Fine Shoes, Inc., a manufacturer of alternative styled footwear for men and women, has introduced their first ever signature shoe, co-designed by one of the most famous chopper builders in the United States, Billy Lane.

Billy Lane of Choppers, Inc., made famous by his beautiful bikes and appearances on the Discovery Channel chopper build-offs, has collaborated with Sha Sha and his pinstriper, Joe Richardson, to develop his own signature line of custom pinstriped shoes in three different colors. The shoes are available at dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada and are available direct to consumers on Sha Sha?s website as well.

For more information about the Billy Lane Signature Shoes, or any other products available from Sha Sha, visit the Sha Sha Fine Shoes website at http://www.sha-sha.com, or click on the banner above. Email info@sha-sha.com, or call 1-877-3-SHA-SHA.

VIRGINIA GANGSTER CHOPPERS PROFILE–On the South side of Richmond, in Chesterfield County the crew at Gangster Choppers still carries out the spirit of rebellion in their approach to building hard core rides.

John Dodson along with his father Ken and Floyd Young make up the crew at Gangster Choppers. John is a machinist by trade having served the mandatory 4 year state apprenticeship program and working in the rigid confines of industrial machine and fabricating shops. John and Ken wanted to open a shop where they could let their imagination run wild on bikes.

Gangster Choppers has a full in house machine shop and fabrication department that enables them to truly build one of a kind choppers.

Gangster Choppers believes that a chopper should be fun and safe to ride. That’s why only the best materials and parts go into the fabrication of their bikes, no corners cut here. The parts they make or modify are engineered to meet and often exceed industry standards. All of their bikes, parts and services are by bikers for bikers. They know from many years of machining, welding and fabricating what they want to ride and they pass it on to you.

John was tired of seeing hacked up frames that were too unsafe to ride. Frames modified with out the use of a frame jig to retain correct geometry and poor welds covered by bondo. To be sure they produced the finest quality frames; they engineered and built their own frame fabrication table. The table is so versatile, a new frame can be manufactured or an existing frame can be stretched and raked. They are able to calculate the trail on any given chassis to determine the ride ability and know what stretch and rake combination will work best with any given project.

In addition to frame work, Gangster Choppers hand manufactures their own sheet metal. Their gas tanks are fabricated with a one piece bottom, no leaks there. Steel fenders are hand rolled from 14 gauge steel in various widths to accommodate different tire sizes. Oil tanks can be had in steel or stainless, with internal plumbing so all the oil lines are routed nice and clean to the bottom of the tank.

They also have the Gangster line of billet aluminum foot pegs, hand grips, jockey shifter knobs, derby and points covers. The crew is hard at work now developing some hard core parts that will adapt to factory style bikes. Foot controls that will incorporate the ace of spades theme and a well-engineered jockey shift set up. The jockey shift lever pivots on maintenance free bearings and is “O” so smooth feeling. It is nice to see a shop introducing such well engineered parts that feel good and most importantly deliver that rebellious southern flavor. Check out their web site at www.gangsterchoppers.com to see what’s new from the shop or give them a phone call a t804 640 CHOP (2467).

–TB

A BIKERNET ROMANTIC MOMENT–One night Jerry brought home a dozen red roses to his wife.

“How lovely, dear,” she said, “What’s the occasion?”

“I want to make love to you” he said simply.

“Not tonight, dear. I have a headache.”

The next night, Jerry came home with a big box of chocolates and explained that he wanted to make love with her.

“I’m awfully tired, honey” said his wife. “Not tonight.”

Every night for a week Jerry brought home something, but each time his wife’s answer was no.

Finally he came home with six black kittens with little red bows around their necks and handed them to his wife.

How adorable, Jerry,” she exclaimed. “But what are they for?”

“These are six little pallbearers for your dead pussy.”

–from Skooter

Don’t forget the Sturgis Museum if you’re in the Badlands this year.

AUSTRALIA HAS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM–Things are really flat chat busy – flat chat is an old biker term I believe,from sitting on top of the tank or something.

Hey, there is a biker museum in Australia, down the road from here @ Nabiac.

Check out:
http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.com.au
http://www.mediaman.com.au/profiles/bulahdelah.html
http://www.mediaman.com.au/profiles/regional.html

Best Rgds from down under.

–Greg Tingle

PENNSLYVANIA CHANGES RIGHT-OF-WAY TO CARELESS DRIVING BILL–In PA HB 873 passed the house 202-1. We changed it from Right of Wayviolations to careless driving. ROW only covered certain accidents wherecareless driving applies when someone rear ends you at a red light or justabout any other way someone can run over you. We also included a definitionof “serious injury” to say “any bodily injury which creates a substantialrisk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement or protractedloss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ”. That waylawyers can’t argue if your injuries were serious or not an delay yourgetting paid for years.

–John

HN JT Purviance during battle for Salman Pak, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

MILITARY ASSISTANCE–Alexandria, Va. – The U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center issupporting families of deployed soldiers by providing a toll-free FamilyAssistance Hotline. The number, 1-800-833-6622, is for use by family members of soldiers onactive duty as well as those in the Army National Guard and the Army Reservecalled to active duty. The hotline will remain in operation indefinitely.

The call is free from the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska,PuertoRico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. Hotline staff takes calls from 8 a.m. to8 p.m. EDT to answer family support-related questions. Emergency assistanceis provided between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. EST.

While the hotline staff cannot give out information about a soldier’sspecific location, status, or mailing address, the staff has beeninstrumental in linking thousands of extended family members to the familysupport groups and rear detachments at the soldier’s unit.

In addition to local and Army level assistance via telephone, familymembers can find answers to many routine questions about family readiness,Army Community Service, and deployment support resources online at the ACS

Web site, www.goacs.org, and at the Army Family Liaison Office website,www.aflo.org. Information about Operation Iraqi Freedom is atwww.army.mil

The Army National Guard and the Army Reserve state and regional supportcommands also operate assistance lines, though they may not always betoll free. Information is available at www.guardfamily.org andwww.army.mil/usar.

The U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center is the headquartersDepartment of the Army agency responsible for Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs the Army provides soldiers and families worldwide.

BRADY’S BIKE–Brady’s suicide Shovel,home-built ride by hard-core bikemaster in Minnesota.

BIKERNET STAFF VENTRILOQUIST–A young ventriloquist is touring the clubs and one night he’s doinga show in a small town in Arkansas. With his dummy on his knee, he starts going through his usual dumb blonde jokes when a blonde in the 4th rowstands on her chair and starts shouting: “I’ve heard enough of your stupidblonde jokes. What makes you think you can stereotype women that way? What does the color of a person’s hair have to do with her worth as a humanbeing?

It’s guys like you who keep women like me from being respected at workand in the community and from reaching our full potential as a person.Because you and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blondes, but women in general, and all in the name of humor!”

Theembarrassed ventriloquist begins to apologize, and the blonde yells, “You stayout of this, mister! I’m talking to that little smart-ass on your knee.”

–from Skooter

NEW VICTORY 8-BALL IS THE BEST VALUE FOR 2005–New 2005 Model Combines the Stunning Looks and Performance of a VegasWith a Tough “Blacked-Out” Look at a Great Price!

July 2005, Minneapolis – There’s no need to qualify the statement. Plain and simple, the new Victory Vegas 8-Ball is the absolute best value on the market among American-made cruiser motorcycles.

The new for 2005 Vegas 8-Ball is a basic black version of the award-winning Victory Vegas and its suggested retail price in the U.S. is just $12,999. That’s about two grand less than a Vegas and the same as the suggested retail for an original Victory V92C in 1998. The 8-Ball is priced lower than competitive models and beats them all in terms of styling, comfort and performance.

Next week we will launch all the new Victory models for 2005 with complete specs. If you haven’t thrown a leg over a Victory yet, try one on. You’ll be surprised.–Bandit

photo by RFR

THAT DOES IT–No more politics here, just motorcycles, sex and Jack Daniels. My shop is just below me now and my new Paughco Project Chopper is waiting . I’m picking up another lift this weekend and it will immediatly find a home, as I begin to slip this baby together.

I’m working with S&S on the engine, the JIMS tranny is in and I’m ready to rock. I’ll hand make the pipes and ponder what to do for the gas tank and seat. Hang on.

That’s ahead for the weekend. In the meantime I’m headed over to the Monster Garage offices, then to the bar for a drink.

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

BIKERNET NEWS ALERT–GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS AND DAVID MANN WILL BE HONORED IN STURGIS

Continued From Page 2

GRAVES CUSTOMSJerry’s one talented cat ! 32 years old, Originally from Indiana. This guydoes it all. Both of the bikes that I sent you, are mine. On the drop seatbike, He handmade the chassis, fuel tank, fender, shifter, plenum / intakefor the twin 58 MM downdraft carb ( that ain’t no weber ! ) Motor mount,handle bars and on and on.

Why buy something that’s on every other ride intown ? He just builds it ! The only thing he outsources, is chrome & seats.Everything else is done in house. I’ve been fortunate enough to call him myfriend for several years.

I Just had a recent brush with some health issues.He offered up a kidney if I needed it. What more can I say about this guy.Talent out the a$$, but a true brother none the less. It’s my mission tosee that the world knows who the hell Jerry Graves is ! More pictures onthe way.

Were heading to Sturgis in a couple of weeks. Hope we can hook upwith you and enjoy some fine Patrons tequila! Here’s Jerry’s website,http://www.gravescustomcycles.com/ It’s under construction as I write. Newsite should be up around the time we return back from the black hills.

Wheelies are fun !
–Mike Mays
954-494-7680Art work on the second red bike was done by Sonny Depalma. Pictures don’tdo it justice. The whole bike is wrapped in skulls and creepy stuff. It’smind blowing !

?BOB?S BACK WITH DAVID MANN; OLD SCHOOL BIKING RETURNS TO THE JOURNEY? EXHIBITION TO COINCIDE WITH 2004 BLACK HILLS MOTORCYCLE RALLY RAPID CITY, S.D. ? The Journey Museum will mount its fourth annual motorcycle theme exhibition in the Stanford Adelstein Gallery which will coincide with the 2004 Black Hills Motorcycle Rally.

The roots of custom motorcycling inspired this year?s exhibition. ?Bobber? style motorcycles, which reflect a popular custom bike design from the late 1940?s through the early 1960?s, will accompany a retrospective display of 50 original paintings by David Mann, the renowned artist who chronicled motorcycle culture from the 1960?s through recent times.

David Mann first became known from his work in Easyriders Magazine, where his art was reproduced as the magazine?s center spread from 1973 through 2003. Standing at a newsstand or mailbox, readers would open the magazines right to David?s witty interpretations of the biker lifestyle. The images could be based on myth or legend, but most often, you felt they came from the artist?s personal experience. This was David sharing his imagination, his vision and his life with the biker world.

The Mann himself.

Mann?s paintings always touched a nerve in the readers. His illustrations were commonly torn from magazines and tacked to the walls of shops, garages, living rooms and clubhouses across America. To this day, any biker that has been riding for twenty years or more remembers specific images that they can still describe in full detail. David?s most famous image, ?Ghost Rider?, was reproduced on everything from flags to custom gas tanks and was even tattooed across biker?s backs.

The Ghost Rider painting by David Mann currently reproduced as fine art prints by Segal and Associates. Check the banner below.

This exhibition at the Journey Museum will be the largest group of his original paintings to ever be displayed and it coincides with David?s induction into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. (He was inducted into the National Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame earlier this year.)

To accompany David Mann?s paintings, motorcycling photographer Michael Lichter has put together a group of old school motorcycles that will be showcased in the same gallery. ?Bob?s Back,? as this exhibition of bikes is called, reflects the recent resurgence of the ?Bobber? style motorcycle. The style itself dates back to just after World War II, when GI?s returned from Europe.

The 17 motorcycles that make up ?Bob?s Back? include original and restored old ?bobber?s?, contemporary ?bobbers? built by some of the best builders in the country as well as several antiques that were relevant to the style first developing. A ?jewel? that will be on display to represent traditional ?Bobbers? is Steve McQueen?s original 1946 Indian Chief that was recently purchased by the famous motorcycle customizer Billy Lane of Choppers Inc. Also representing the traditional look is a 1941 Crocker owned by bronze motorcycle themed sculptor Jeff Decker of Utah, the 1941 Indian Scout Bobber that toured for four years with the Guggenheim Museum?s ?Art of the Motorcycle? owned by Cycle World?s Editor, David Edward?s (CA), a 1939 Velocette single also owned by Edwards, a 1928 Indian Sport Scout from Shane Binder (PA) and Brent Mayfield?s 1948 Harley-Davidson Panhead from Ohio.

Contemporary ?Bobbed? bikes, many of which were created just for this show, were built by popular builders like Billy Lane (FL), Chica (Japan/CA), Hank Young (GA), Jerry Covington (OK), Brian Klock (SD), Cole Forster (CA), Donny Loos (OH), Twisted Choppers (SD) and Jose de Miguel (Puerto Rico). One bike that is being built just for this exhibition is a traditional ?bobber? by Paul Teutle, Sr. of Orange County Choppers and the incredibly popular ?American Chopper? series on the Discovery Channel. Some of these bikes could pass for an original ?50?s or ?60?s ?bobber? but others will stretch the idiom to new horizons.

A restored 1948 Harley-Davidson WR flat track racer from the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, IA will be on display to demonstrate where the look of ?Bobbers? is derived. Also on display is George Smith?s original 1953 Panhead, on loan from S&S Cycle, which he used throughout the 1950?s as a test bed for the performance products he was developing for S&S.

In conjunction with the reception, Metzeler Tires has organized its second annual Custom Motorcycle Competition on Tuesday August 10th in the parking lot in front of the museum. Custom motorcycles that use any of Metzeler’s tires, from standard sizes right to their super wide 280, will be checking in until 11am and remain on display until 6pm while judging takes place. The grand prizewinner, who will be announced during the reception, will win a trip to Germany with their motorcycle to attend the EICMA show, the largest motorcycle show in the world.

?Bob?s Back with David Mann? will open to the public on Saturday August 7th and will remain open through Saturday, August 14. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with extended hours until 6 p.m. during bike week, August 2?9. A reception with live music and refreshments at which many of the motorcycle builders will be present will be held, August 10 from 4:30 ? 8:30pm. The reception is open to the public. The museum is located at 222 New York Street, two blocks east of the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn and the Civic Center where Harley-Davidson is headquartered. The normal $6.00 admission has been reduced to $5 (kids 10 and under are free) to welcome motorcyclists during bike week, August 7?14. This also includes admission to the four major prehistoric and historic collections, the Duhamel collection of traditional Sioux artifacts and the museum theatre.

For more information, visit the museum’s web site at www.journeymuseum.org or call the museum at 605 394-6923. Additional information is available on Michael Lichter?s Web site at www.lichterphoto.com and Segal Fine Arts? Web site at www.motorcycleart.com.

MIKE LICHTER TO DISPLAY AT CARLISLE ANTIQUE SHOW THIS WEEKEND–July 23rd – 25th, 2004Carlisle Events.Michael will be in Pennsylvania exhibiting his work at the Carlisle Summer Bike Fest, that is, if he can catch a flight in vast tornado conditions attacking the country. Michael will also be hosting a Q&A session at a time to be announced. He’ll be there with the OCC guys, Borget, Donnie Smith and Eddie Trotta. Don’t Miss it.

STEEDS GIRL OF THE WEEK–London–Here you go, her name is “London”, 21 years old. What a knockout.

John Covington

MAILMAN’S BASICS–The Mailman from Washington has been a Sportster drag racing fanatic for a decade and currently is, I don’t know, in point standings. I better check with him.

“As of July 16th I am 8th in the Western Division and 34th Nationally in Syn3 ET,” Mailman explained. “Only got 10 points for entering Seattle, as I destroyed my entireprimary drive on my 2nd qualifying pass. The clutch blew first, droppingchunks into the primary chain which broke and bunched up taking out chunksof the inner primary, which on Sportsters is part of the engine case.Presently waiting for my welder, Michael Beckler, to work his magic on thecase. My engine builder, Doc Ford, has gone through all the internal partsand is ready to reassemble when the cases are done. He found 2 crackedvalve guides, a spun wrist pin bushing and big end bearings beyond wearlimits. I guess it ran high 10’s because it was so loose. Had around 500dragstrip passes on it since the last rebuild.”

We drank heavy dark ales and discussed the basics of engine performance, so I thought I would pass a couple of learned items along:

I always wondered why the spark fires while the piston is roaming up the cylinder before top dead center. Hell, why doesn’t the bike run backwards? He explained that when the spark fires and lights the fuel it doesn’t explode immediately. As the piston continues north and the flame spreads over the piston it builds pressure to kick it south at a high rate of speed. If you think about this flame creeping over the top of the piston it makes two elements stand out: Flat-top pistons for ease of burn and dual plug heads for more efficient and faster burn (can advance an engine from 35 degrees before TDC to 32 degrees).

Mailman worked with a tuner who had tremendous performance success tuning exhaust systems. The man cut the baffle in half and inserted the cut end into the pipe and fastened it. He tested performance and cut the baffle some more until it ran to his liking. Makes a lot of sense to me. I would like to take the time to test this formula.

So why are domed pistons used? It’s that Hemi Head configuration. Because the shape of the combustion chamber allows for larger valves and more flow, whereas a flat combustion chamber restricts the space available for valves.

A Mailman comment about single fire systems: “The systems is focused on one plug at a time for more efficient firing, and you’re not firing the wrong plug and igniting an incoming charge.”

Here’s a final thought about sparkplugs. The bigger the gap the more voltage it takes to jump the gap. That’s why early bikes, especially with 6 Volt systems needed smaller gaps. Ah, but the wider the gap the larger the spark, the more efficient the burn.

Photo from RFR

THE 11TH ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE CARS SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2004, 9A.M. – 5P.M.HANSEN DAM PARK, LOS ANGELES–ENTER ON DRONFIELD AVE. off of OSBORNE ST. The 11th annual Blessing of the Cars kicks off Saturday, July 31, 2004, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M at Hansen Dam Park in Los Angeles, California. The actual blessing starts promptly at 12:00 noon on the main stage.

In attendance at this year’s show will be an estimated 800 vintage cars, hotrods, customs and motorcycles as well as an approximated 5000-8000 show goers and attendees.

There is, of course, an actual blessing conducted by a real priest. He will go to each car and give them a blessing (blessing, of course, is optional). Giving car owners the added protection for their vehicle and all who ride in it.

The car show at The Blessing of the Cars is open to pre 1968 vehicles of all types. The majority of cars in attendance are custom and hot rod cars, trucks, and motorcycles from the 1950s and earlier. There is also a high attendance of stock and restored classic vehicles that appear to have rolled out of their heyday showrooms and on to the grass at Hansen Dam.

The Blessing of the Cars car show would not be complete without a competition amongst the cars. Awards will be given out in the form of custom-made trophies by an assortment of local artists. At past events some of these extravagant trophies have shot flames from their tip tops and roared tiny engines in celebration of their new owners. Trophies are awarded in the following categories: Best Custom, Best Hot Rod, Best Girl Owned, Best Stock (original or restored), Best Nostalgic, Best Unfinished, Best Flames, Best Truck, Best Hearse, Best Paint, Best Pin striping, Best import, Best Shifter Knob, and more.

What would an awards ceremony be without Trophy Girls? Just plain no fun is what!

The registration and admission fees are as follows:General Admission is $5.00. Children under 12 get in free!Registration the day of the show is: $20.00 for cars, $8.00 for motorcycles.

To register for the show or for more information please contact either Stephanie Baltierra or Gabriel Baltierra of Kingpin Productions at (323)663-1265. The Mailing address is 2027 1/2 Talmadge St., Los Angeles, CA. 90027.

Continued On Page 4

BIKERNET NEWS FLASH–TEXAS DRAGS, SPEED RECORD CONTRAVERSY, SUPERBIKE SCHOOL, TEXAS ROAD BLOCK AND MONSTER GARAGE AIN’T IN TEXAS

Continued From Page 1

AMD’S CHOPPER PARTS PRO-GUIDE–Production of AMD’s PRO-GUIDE special on aftermarket CHOPPER PARTS is now underway.

If you have any product news, catalogs or other information that you would like to have considered for inclusion, please let us know by return e-mail, or call us TOLL FREE (from USA & Canada) on 866 849 5704. Full contact details are below. As always, our requirements for images are 300dpi resolution JPEG/TIFF/EPS and a minimum 4 inches width whilst at that resolution.

Advertising spaces in this valuable marketing opportunity are filling fast and advertisers are more than welcome to utilize the facilities and services of our full time design studio.

As with all monthly AMD editions, mailing will be to over 10,400 Harley aftermarket dealers, distributors and parts manufacturers. More than 7,700 of these businesses are in the United States.

AMD can proudly and uniquely claim to offer its advertisers access to more market-specific potential trade buyers, in more countries, than any other trade journal produced by anyone, anywhere. Our Pro-Guides have proved to be respected and influential long-term reference tools for dealers.

For more information contact either Group Advertising Manager Steve Rix, mailto:steve@dealer-world.com.
Publisher Robin Bradley mailto:robin@dealer-world.com

Editor Fraser Addecott mailto: fraser@dealer-world.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER
Kenwood House
1 Upper Grosvenor Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 2DU
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1892 511516
USA TOLL FREE: 866 849 5704

OLD SCHOOL CHOPPER MONSTER GARAGE UPDATE–The air date for the episode #50 Old School Chopper is October 11th.

Thanks-
Hope Moore
Associate Producer

Below is a letter from one of the Chopper team, John Reed, a life-long product designer for Custom Chrome Inc.:

I just want to tell you guys that it was an honor working with you atMonster Garage, I wish they could have brought us there a month or sobefore, so we could get some tools jigs etc and organize it so we couldmake things closer than we do at home.

I was a lot more nervous than yourealized at the start, because I don’t like working with people becauseof all the egos and B/S, so for me it was a unique situation, and I can’tbelieve how comfortable I felt with you all the last half of theweek, especially when Carls two boys came visiting while we weresitting outside our rooms in the evenings solving all the world’sproblems and they realized that I wasn’t as bad as they thought and Don (Hotop)and Mark (Rowe) were really the ones who got me in trouble by winding me up.

I don’t think the situation will arise to allow it to happenagain, but if it does, I would jump at it, and if any of you guys wantanything from me just ask. I enjoyed the hell out of it. I know thatyou were all at the top of the game, and I was just the grindingbitch, but it as cool. Don’t tell anyone I said this, but for some reason I almostfeel like I miss you all.

It will stay in my minds all my life,
Thanks,
John Reed..

CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE — ONE WEEK ONLY — EXCLUSIVE FOR WHITEHORSE ENEWSCUSTOMERSPlace an online order no later than midnight, July 31, 2004, and save 10% onevery item you order. Follow the link below to search or browse our onlinecatalog for new books, gear, tools, accessories, t-shirts, bargains, andgifts. We’ll deduct 10% when we process your order. This is a rare chanceto get a reduced price on that special item from our catalog that you’vealways wanted, but you do need to use this link or refer to EN0406 toqualify for the discount.http://www.whitehorsepress.com/email.asp?cn=52&en0406&id=home

Everyone at Whitehorse Press wishes you happy shopping in July and goodriding for the rest of the summer. We appreciate your business and yoursupport. If we can assist you in any way, don’t hesitate to phone ustoll-free at 800-531-1133 or email CustomerService@WhitehorsePress.com.

Whitehorse Press
107 East Conway Road
Center Conway, NH 03813-4012
603-356-6556

4TH OF JULY ROADBLOCK IN HOUSTON– There was a road block on the southbound I-45 @ Rayford Rd on the 3rd of July from 11:00 PM thru 1:00 AM on the 4th. It was supposedly a ” zero tolerance” stop by Harris County and HPD to check for drunks. However, EVERY motorcycle was pulled over, but not one car. Some 49 bikes were stopped from what I understand, and none were even ticketed? What the Hell?

If anyone out there did get a ticket or get hauled off, let me know. Oh, and 49 bikes with no drunks? My congratulations.

–Jan the Man, West Houston BMC

LAND SPEED RECORDS UNDER THREAT–BUB ENTERPRISES, organisers of the International Speed Trials by BUB, has been in touch with the latest information on the event, which is scheduled for Bonneville Salt Flats on September 6th-10th, 2004.

Obviously taking advantage of the infrastructure that will be in place for the Trials, we are told there are three serious contenders for the ‘World’s Fastest’ crown.

This title is currently held by Dave Campos at 322 mph, and the bike he used, the Easyriders Streamliner, will be on display at Bonneville.

Other display bikes, representing a history of record breaking, include the Triumph-engined Texas Ceegar, the Plymouth Monster, Tenacious ll (fastest motorcycle in Australia) and The Tramp lll (fastest conventional single-engined motorcycle).

Anyone else wishing to enter should note that the deadline for registering an FIM world record attempt has now passed and the pre-entry deadline for the event is just days away.However, there is still time to pre-enter and save $100.Entry forms can be downloaded from the event web site.The site also features an impressive list of sponsors who are helping to make the event a success.

INTERNATIONAL SPEED TRIALS BY BUB
Grass Valley, California, USA
Tel: 530 477 7490 (x209)
Fax: 530 477 7489
E-mail: mailto:eventinfo@speedtrialsbybub.com
http://www.speedtrialsbybub.com.

CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL INSTRUCTORMISTI HURST GRABS INTERNATIONAL RACINGSPONSORSHIP FROM HONDA ITALY–At 24 she bought her first motorcycle. At 26 she was taking checkeredflags and thrilling crowds with her stunt riding at racetracks throughoutWestern Canada. Today, at a seasoned 28, California Superbike School instructor Misti Hurst is about to embark on the ride of her life — in Septembershe’ll crank the throttle of a new Honda CBR600RR and go head-to-headwith some of Europe’s best in the Italian CBR Cup Series, thanks to arecently signed sponsorship deal with Honda Italy.

“Riding for the Honda team is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – oneI’m training hard for,” said Hurst, whose instructional duties with KeithCode’s traveling Superbike School will keep her busy until late August,at which time she’ll travel to Italy to get familiar with how the CBRhandles on local tracks.

Hurst, a bona fide “natural born rider”, said her skills on two wheelshave increased markedly due to her involvement with Code’s school… firstas student, then as instructor.

“In November of 2002 I arrived at the school to learn the technical aspectsof riding. Until that point, I had been riding intuitively, but withno real idea of the how’s and why’s of riding, or what to do if I foundmyself in trouble on the road or the track. The instruction was amazingand my confidence, speed, and control of the motorcycle improved tremendously,” said Hurst.

As she neared completion of her training as student, Hurst tried outfor a position as instructor and was accepted. “My continuous training as instructor has been intense but extremelyrewarding. I learn something new every time I’m out on the track,” saidHurst.

“My ultimate goal in life is to make my passion my job. With my roleas instructor at the Superbike School along with the opportunity Hondais giving me, I really feel like I’m living my dream,” said Hurst.

“It’s really great to see our staff doing well in racing, “said SuperbikeSchool founder Code. “It validates our riding technology and keeps thementhusiastic about the whole process of learning the Art of Cornering.”

CALIFORNIA SUPERBIKE SCHOOL
WWW.SUPERBIKESCHOOL.COM

BIKERNET COMPUTER ADVICE– I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Haroldthe computer guy, to come over. Harold clicked a couple of buttons andsolved the problem. He gave me a bill for a minimum service call.

As he was walking away, I called after him, “So, what waswrong?”

He replied, “It was an ID ten Terror.”

I didn’t want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired,”An, ID ten T error? What’s that. in case I need to fix it again?”

The computer guy grinned…. “Haven’t you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?”

“No,” I replied.

“Write it down,” he said, “and I think you’ll figure itout.”

So I wrote out …….. I D 1 0 T

I used to like Harold…

–from Skooter

Get Ready SOUTH EAST TEXAS –
THIS SATURDAY NITE – JULY 24th “Under The Lites”
Its the – “Texas Style Party Drags” HOUSTON CHAMPIONSHIPS
At The UNDISPUTED QUICKEST & FASTEST DRAGSTRIP IN TEXAS !!HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK in Baytown….
****************************

Top Fuel Harleys – Top Alcohol Harleys – Nostalgia Fuel Harleys & 32 Sportsman Trophy Classes for any type of Harley Davidson Motorcycle from Stock to Drag Modified!- If you LOVE Hot Rod Harleys – You Just Gotta See THIS RACE !!! –

******************************************

LIVE MUSIC – VENDORS MIDWAY – DOOR PRIZES – DOLLAR BILL POKER

************************************************

Sponsored By: Ancira RV & Fatboyz Racing With Associate Sponsorship by: Bad Boys of Texas, Inc., Goe Cycles, MC Creations, & KT?s Cycle Service.

#####################################

Gates Open: 2pm – Time Trials & Pro Qualifying 4pm – Eleminations 8pm
Admission: Adults $20 – Kids 5-14$5 – Under 5 Free
Track Phone:281-383-RACE
Track Location:I-10 East from Houston to exit 798, go 3 miles south on Hwy 146 turn left at the sign on FM 1405 & follow the signs on in!!

Continued On Page 3

BIKERNET NEWS TOP STORIES–STEALTH 9/11 COMISSION IN, SCREAMIN’ EAGLE CLOSE, BASSINI PIPES, PITBULL MOVES AND STAY OUTTA FLORIDA

Photo by RFR

The 9/11 Commission is in with findings and recommendations. Let’s see if I have this correct. They’re not pointing the blame finger, but everyone fucked up. They’re not recommending new governmental levels, just a new bureaucracy. We live in strange times.

As far as I’m concerned these so-called terrorist punks get way too much publicity, which gives them world credibility and power. See, CNN did it again. Enough of that shit, we’ve got real business to consider. Just the bikers in NYC could kick ass on all the Al Cuty members in the world.

The real biker terrorists are automobile drivers. Did you read the report that 70 percent of all bike accidents are caused by cell phone calling and drunken cager drivers. Imagine if this news was plastered on CNN daily. In a week Bush would be at war with the Los Angeles freeway system.

Let’s hit it:

NEW DANGER TO BIKERS–$5,000 Reward Offered By Minnesota Hupy Law Firm. It’s something that could be as devastating to a motorcyclist as a sniper with a high-powered rifle or kitchen-variety plastic wrap. On Tuesday, July 13, 2004, Daniel Buckel and his girlfriend, Theresa Brzycky, were injured by it on Guthrie Road in Waukesha County as they traveled the dark and foggy, rural road.

Somebody had stretched a barrier of plastic wrap, wound tightly from traffic pole to traffic pole on opposite sides of the road. Buckel did not see the potential death trap until he was ten feet from it.

“It’s appalling, and it’s really frightening,” Brzycky said. Buckel was driving 5 miles an hour under the 45 mph speed limit because deer had been seen along the road, and there was a slight haze.

Buckel announced that he would pay a $1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible. However, Attorneys Michael F. Hupy and Jason F. Abraham were so appalled by the incident and were so concerned about ensuring that this does not occur again, that their law firm, Michael F. Hupy & Associates, S.C., has offered a $5,000 reward in place of that offered by Buckel. For the actual newspaper account of this incident, click on: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/jul04/244241.asp.

Anyone having information about this crime should contact the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Detective Bureau at (262) 548-8156. Michael F. Hupy & Associates, S.C. has offered the reward to be paid to the first individual to provide information to law enforcement officials leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible.

This is the third time the law firm has stepped up for biker’s rights recently. First, the firm helped draft and pass a law denying insurance companies the right to argue non-use of a helmet as a defense in a motorcycle injury case in Wisconsin. Next, the firm represented members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, Milwaukee, in a suit against the Summerfest and World Festivals Board asking police to remove the members from the festival grounds for nothing more than wearing club insignia on their t-shirts.

This latest event underscores the vulnerability of motorcyclists, as stated by the American Motorcyclist Association in it’s “Justice for All initiative.”

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN Texas IN JULY WHEN…The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
The trees are whistling for the dogs.
The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance
Hot water now comes out of both taps.
You can make sun tea instantly.
You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.
You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.
You discover you can get sunburned through your car window.
You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m.
Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, “What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?”
You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.
Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard boiled eggs.
The cows are giving evaporated milk.

…….Ah, what a place to call home.

–from Skooter

SYNDICATED NEWS–The comic strip FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE has been running a piece on Liz coming home from college and family friend Gordon loans her a motorcycle and teaches her how to ride.

Good For Motorcycling

–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com

MOTORCYCLISTS “RIDE TO WORK DAY” NEARS–Rally promotes bikes as helpers in easing traffic.You want them as you trudge from your parking slot, miles away from the entrance to your office. Those motorcycle parking spots, so nice and close. Perhaps riding a motorcycle to work isn’t a bad idea.

Peter Cooper, who rides his Kawasaki daily from his Satellite Beach home to his job at Harris and Base View in Melbourne, agrees.”I have a family, and I don’t get to ride as much as I’d like,” Cooper said. “Commuting is a good excuse to ride.”

Feeling ultra-cool while going to work may be reason enough to ride a motorcycle to work, but there are many others.Ride to Work, a motorcycle advocacy organization, will highlight all the benefits of motorcycle commuting Wednesday during its 13th annual international Ride to Work Day.

Although each day more than 80 million cars and trucks do the commute routine, less than a quarter million people regularly ride their cycles to work, according the Ride to Work Day Web site.

At his workplace’s facility that has enough parking spaces for 70, Cooper is one of four cycling employees.

Ride to Work would love to change those figures.”For many people, riding is a socially responsible form of personal mobility that saves energy, helps the environment and provides a broad range of other public benefits,” said Andy Goldfine of Minnesota, this year’s Ride to Work event organizer.

Ride to Work estimates this year’s event will triple the number of riders on the road.Visit its Web site at ridetowork.org.

–BY MARIA SONNENBERG,FOR FLORIDA TODAY

CENTRAL FLORIDA SAFETY COURSE–The Central Florida Safety Council offers a course that teach riders skills needed to ride a motorcycle safely.

Students learn about physical impairment, riding gear, starting and stopping, swerving, turning, and slow-speed maneuvering — among other things.The course is required for anyone under age 21 and recommended for anyone who wishes to ride a motorcycle on the street.

The course fee ranges from $225 to $235 — depending on where the course is taken.

Melbourne: 1515 Elizabeth St., Suite C
Patrick Air Force Base: 1225 S. Patrick Drive
For more information, call 952-5327 or (800) 372-3335.

I do not understand how the courses are so expensive. There is money from our driver?s license and registration that is earmarked for education plus the motorcycles are donated by the manufacturers.

–Rogue

Photo by RFR

FLYNT/MAJOR CLASH ON SEX SHOP–Fort Lauderdale is to get an `upscale’ porn store. City leaders tried to keep it out. Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt is expanding his pornography empire to South Florida, opening an “upscale” sex shop despite opposition from this city’s mayor and others.

Hustler Hollywood is supposed to open Friday, featuring items ranging from coffee to vibrating eggs. Flynt is scheduled to visit Aug. 3.

“In every city we open a store there is always some politician who needs to showboat before his religious or conservative constituents about keeping us out,” said Flynt, 61, who is on a national 19-city book tour.

Mayor Jim Naugle and City Commissioner Dean Trantalis had spearheaded an attempt to block Flynt by changing a city zoning law.

Currently “less than half” of a store’s inventory can be sexually oriented if it is within 500 feet of a residential area. Otherwise, the city can close it.

Naugle and Trantalis wanted the ordinance changed so a store could be closed if a “substantial” amount of its inventory was of a sexual nature. But after Flynt threatened to sue, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission voted down the notion 3-2, despite Naugle’s and Trantalis’ opposition.

“These are upscale shops where sexuality is presented in a clean, healthy, natural way, which is why 50 percent of our customer base are women,” Flynt said.”I’m not done with South Florida — my next stop is Miami Beach,” he said.

–Sentinel Staff Writer

–from Rogue
http://www.bikerrogue.com

PITBULL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY RELOCATEDPITBULL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY has re-located its workshops and corporate headquarters to a new facility in Orlando, Florida. The main business of the company is the manufacture and distribution of high-end, affordable choppers and custom motorcycles. The present range features bikes in chopper and Pro-Street styles, with a choice of Softail and hard-tail models, supplied as complete bikes or rolling chassis.

Pitbull’s new facility has more than 14,000 square feet of space, with a newly renovated showroom for the display of finished motorcycles, parts and apparel.

In the workshop area, more than 20 motorcycle lifts are already installed and there is space to increase this number when demand increases.

Owners explain that the new facility will create opportunities to improve the services they offer and allow further expansion of the customer base.

PITBULL MOTORCYCLE
Orlando, Florida, USA
Tel: 407 290 9212
Fax: 407 290 9097
E-mail: mailto:info@pitbullmotorsports.com
http://www.pitbullmotorcycles.com

BASSINI SLIPS-ON TECH COMING TO BIKERNET–Actually the tech will be launched next week. Roque installed their new performance touring slip-ons last week, and if I get off my ass you’ll see it soon.

SOLID WORDS OF WISDOM FROM BIKERNET– People who live in glass houses should make love in the basement.

Never read the fine print. There ain’t no way you’re going to like it.

If you let a smile be your umbrella, then most likely your ass will get soaking wet.

The only two things we do with greater frequency in middle age are urinate and attend funerals.

The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.

To err is human, to forgive – highly unlikely

Do you realize that in about 40 years, we’ll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos?

Money can’t buy happiness — but somehow it’s more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than in a Hyundai.

Drinking makes some husbands see double and feel single.

Living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween.

After a certain age, if you don’t wake up aching in every joint, you are probably dead.

–from Rev CarlR

SCREAMIN? EAGLE FLAT TRACK TEAM DISAPPOINTED IN DAVENPORT–King Narrowly Misses Making the Main in AMA Grand National Event.DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 17, 2004) – Screamin? Eagle Performance Parts rider Rich King was thwarted in his attempt to qualify for the main event in the seventh round of the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship held at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.

The race was the first AMA Grand National event held at the half-mile track, and King, who is from Dysart, Iowa, was hoping to put on a good show for his home-state fans. King ran in the main pack during his 10-lap qualifying heat, but placed fifth and failed to advance to the main. King had a good chance to qualify in the first semi-final heat, and had just taken the lead on the seventh lap of the eight-lap heat. However, the heat was red-flagged when rider Josh Toungett crashed in turn four. Riders reverted to their position on the previous lap for the re-start, which shuffled King back to third place. With just two laps left in the heat, King was unable to pass for one of the top two spots and thus did not advance to the main.

?The Screamin? Eagle team worked hard, and Rich had a good running bike, but also had some bad racing luck,? said Harley-Davidson Racing Manager Anne Paluso. ?That?s racing, but we?ve got a strong team and we?re looking forward to the next round.?

The main was won by KTM USA/Jones Powersports/Mid-America Harley-Davidson rider Kenny Coolbeth aboard a Harley-Davidson XR750. His teammate Joe Kopp finished second. Chris Carr, riding for the Quality Checked Pre-Owned Ford/Lancaster Harley-Davidson team, finished sixth but continues to lead the series with 119 points. Kopp is second with 109 points, and Coolbeth third with 88 points.

The next stop on the AMA Progressive Insurance Flat Track Championship series is July 24 at the Atomic Speedway near Knoxville, Tenn., a race that was rescheduled after it was rained out in June.

The Screamin? Eagle Flat Track team is sponsored by Matco Tools.

Mr. Stealth from Charlotte H-D.

THE NORTH CAROLINA STEALTH REPORT–I visited a new shop that is about to open. This shop is going to have a BIG impact on the biker scene here in Charlotte. The shop is called The Cycle Xchange.

Jeff and Brian Clark are the owners. I met Jeff back in February when he was just starting to get things set up. We talked and the conversation turned to the Run for Breath and before Jeff had left, “THE MEANEST” had him signed on as a sponsor and he also agreed to make two awards for the bike show. By the way, the 6th Annual Run For Breath “In Memory of Justin Pullin” will be held this Sunday July 25th here in Charlotte. What impressed me about Jeff was that he didn?t hesitate to support a good cause and it didn’t take long for him to make up his mind. Jeff is more of the hands on guy at The Cycle Xchange and from what I gathered Brian oversees shop operations.

The Cycle Xchange specializes in custom hand made exhaust systems. These exhaust systems feature some of the cleanest bends I have ever seen! That is not all they will do though, the facility is set up to do ground up builds, performance engine work complete with dyno room along with a complete parts department and service department which will feature nine wrenches when they are up and running. They will also have an apparel department. The building consists of 12,000 square feet. Speaking of performance Jeff and Brian know a thing or two about that, both have worked on NASCAR race teams!

Jeff tells me his big break came when he was asked to participate in the Gibson bike build off featuring the three kings of custom, Arlen Ness, Donnie Smith, and Jeff?s good buddy Dave Perewitz. Jeff built the exhaust system for this bike. The kings recognized talent and encouraged Jeff and that is how he got the idea to open the Cycle Xchange.

The VQ bike of the year from Shannon Davidson from the Chop Shop also features a set of pipes hand made and bent by Jeff. The Cycle Xchange also does exhaust for such names as Carolina Customs, Independent Cycles and Jeff and Brian have teamed up with Kendall Johnson on a couple of projects concerning exhaust systems.

I didn’t get to talk to Brian a lot, but Jeff is a down to earth guy. He tells me he talks to Dave Perewitz and Billy Lane for advice on a regular basis. From what I see and can tell they have given him some pretty good advice so far!

The Cycle Xchange opens its doors August 1, 2004. Good luck to everyone there! Give them a call at 704-708-5828 and tell them you heard about them in “THE STEALTH REPORT” on BIKERNET.com!

Well that is it for this week, gotta tie up a couple of loose ends on the 6th Annual RFB!

Until next week, RIDE!

–STEALTHMAN

Continued On Page 2

Coast To Coast Biker News

Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists

LOUISIANA REINSTATES HELMET LAW All motorcyclists will be required by law to wear helmets when traveling Louisiana’s roads beginning August 15, under a bill that won final passage through the state legislature with the backing of Governor Kathleen Blanco, who has said that she will soon sign the measure.

With time running out on this year’s legislative session, the Senate voted 26-12 on June 17 to send the House-passed measure to the governor, despite the bill’s defeat in the House just weeks earlier. With Governor Blanco’s support in reviving the bill, it passed the House by a vote of 57-27 and was sent to the Senate just one week before adjourning.

Backed by the new governor, the bill effectively repeals a 1999 law pushed by former Governor Mike Foster, an avid motorcyclist. The Foster-backed law allowed anyone over 18 to ride without a helmet if they had at least $10,000 of bodily injury insurance. Louisiana has 95,000 registered motorcycle riders.

Foster blasted passage of House Bill 109 by Rep. Clara Baudoin, D-Carencro. “It’s Big Brother rearing its ugly head — or Big Sister,” he told the Baton Rouge Advocate after the Senate vote. Foster said passage puts the state out of line with most of the rest of the nation. “Most states have a choice in their law,” said Foster, referring to the fact that 31 states currently allow adult riders to decide whether to or not to wear a helmet. He also said there are no death or injury statistics to justify the mandatory helmet law.

NORTH CAROLINA INCREASES PENALTIES FOR RIGHT OF WAY VIOLATORS In the waning days of session on July 13, the North Carolina House of Representatives voted 113-3 to concur with the Senate-passed version HB – 965, which increases penalties for people who fail to yield the right-of-way if the violation causes serious bodily injury in a wreck.

“This bill does not have to go to the governor, so it’s now law,” said Sam Nobles, Legislative Coordinator for the Concerned Bikers Association. “It becomes effective December 1st.”

The bill requires a $500 fine and 90-day suspension of a driver’s license if serious bodily injury occurs from wreck where a motorist did not yield the right-of-way.

“We not only scored the first win for the bikers of North Carolina,” said Nobles, “we left a network in place and built relationships that will continue to serve us well.”

BIKERS NOT TO BLAME, SAY INSURERS Two-thirds of motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles in Victoria, Australia are not caused by the motorcyclists, new insurance figures show.

Data from insurance claims showed drivers caused 68 per cent of the multiple-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles in Victoria between 2001 and 2003, according to national motorcycle insurer Swann Insurance.

The figures, reported on July 5, 2004, also showed that during the same period drivers were responsible for more than 70 per cent of the accidents involving motorbikes in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.

Swann Insurance general manager Duncan Brain said: “These figures confirm what motorcycle riders have been saying for some time — that motorcyclists generally are not to blame for multiple-vehicle crashes.

JUST YOUR AVERAGE MOTORCYCLIST According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, a typical motorcyclist is a 38-year-old man with a wife, kids, college degree and $44,250 annual income.

The MIC reports more than 4.3 million women operated motorcycles last year, up 34 percent from 1998.

According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, one out of every three new riders enrolling in training school is female.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle fatalities remain a largely male phenomenon. After five years of declining rates, motorcycle deaths began rising again in 1997 along with increased popularity of motorcycles — and 90 percent of the deaths are among men.

NEW POLITICAL PARTY AIMS TO SERVE BIKERS If you believe that the existing political parties don’t reflect your views as a motorcyclist, maybe the ABP is for you! Neenah, Wisconsin businessman Steve “Mad” Erato has formed the American Biker Party to serve as a grassroots alternative to the Republican and Democratic parties.

The American Biker Party will be geared toward motorcyclists, but the party is open to anyone. “If your grandmother wants to come, she is welcome,” said Erato, who owns Eagle Nation Cycles where the party’s organizational meeting was held on June 23rd to shape the party platform and agenda.

Erato told the local newspaper, the Post-Crescent, that the party will emphasize less government than either the Republican or Democratic parties and will fight against laws requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets.

“We believe in freedom of choice,” he said. “We believe there is way too much government involved in everybody’s life. We are the ones paying for all of this government intervention.”

Erato said the American Biker Party would be marketed to motorcycle groups throughout the United States. He said bikers in Wisconsin share many of the same concerns as bikers elsewhere. “We need something to tie it all together,” Erato said. “That’s what we want to be.”

$50 GRAND AWARDED FOR ARIZONA SAFETY CAMPAIGN ABATE of Arizona was recently awarded $50,000 from the Motorcycle Safety Fund to be earmarked for a billboard campaign to heighten the awareness of passenger vehicle operators to be more observant of motorcycles.

“It’s official,” exclaimed Bobbi Hartmann, ABATE Lobbyist, “I signed the contract today (June 15, 2004) and the lobbyists will be meeting with Viacom to determine specific locations for the 35 – 12′ x 24′ billboards in the Phoenix and metropolitan areas.”

According to Viacom, these billboards should be up and running by the end of July for an eight week contract period, though many billboard messages stay visible until the board is sold again and printed over.

NEW YORK AMENDS HANDLEBAR HEIGHT LIMIT Companion bills to modify New York’s current handlebar height limit (A08237 and S1997) have passed through the Senate and Assembly and have been sent to the governor’s desk.

Current law regulates that all handle bars on motorcycles be no higher than fifteen inches above the seat. The new amended law “Prohibits a person from operating on a public highway a motorcycle on which the handle bars or grips are more than the height of the operator’s shoulders.”

REFLECTIVE VESTS REQUIRED FOR MILITARY MOTORCYCLISTS Military safety regulations for motorcycle riders have long been the strictest in the world, requiring such personal protective equipment (PPE) as helmets, eye protection, full-fingered gloves, over the ankle boots, long sleeve shirts and long pants, both on and off base, and for both military and civilians who operate motorcycles on military installations.

Now, according to the military newspaper Stars and Stripes in their July 13th Pacific edition, Pacific Air Force bases (PACAF) have released stricter new rules for motorcyclists set forth in the service’s traffic safety program.

Besides a requirement for motorcycle safety training, and a refresher course every three years, the most noticeable change is the requirement that all motorcycle riders wear an international orange or lime-green safety vest with 90 square inches of reflective material.

The PACAF supplement was released May 17 and already is being enforced at most bases, according to military officials.

The Air Force requires that riders wear a brightly-colored and contrasting long-sleeve shirt or jacket. A spokesman from PACAF’s safety office said that the vest was adopted to “clarify the wide array of possibilities left open” by the Air Force instruction.

“Each installation interpreted this standard differently and enforced it differently,” the spokesman said. “The colors chosen reflect the most internationally recognized safety colors. They are highly visible and signify ‘Safety’ or ‘Attention’ around the globe.”

Most PACAF bases have adopted former Commander General William Begert’s zero-tolerance policy to enforce the vest rule: First-time violators lose motorcycle-driving privileges for 15 days; a second citation within 12 months results in a 30-day suspension; and a third ticket in a year equals no riding for 12 months.

But some motorcyclists feel that it cramps their style since it doesn’t allow them to show off their club colors. Others voiced their concern that the bright vest might make any military member off base a target to would-be terrorists.

“Wearing the vest makes the motorcycle no more safe,” added one rider.

What a bunch of bullshit. –Bandit

ITALIANS OFFER FREE HELMETS TO INCREASE USAGE Officials in a southern Italian town are handing out free motorcycle helmets following a series of accidents in the region in recent months. The initiative is being undertaken in Sant Anastasia under the slogan: “It’s better to wear a helmet, than be a dead man without a helmet.” More than a hundred helmets have been given out so far. Mayor Vincenzo Lervolino said: “As far as we know this campaign is unique.”

HARLEY “U” With the backing of Harley-Davidson Inc., Fort Scott Community College in Kansas will begin offering a degree program this fall that teaches the applied science of motorcycles.

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer said it is supporting the formal degree program because it needs people who are trained in both technical and management skills.

The degree program will be the first of its kind at Kansas public colleges, although Butler Community College’s computer-aided design and drafting program works closely with Big Dog Motorcycles.

The city of Frontenac is spending $400,000 to build a training facility modeled after a dealership, and Harley-Davidson will provide 10 motorcycles in the first year.

The college worked with Harley to design the curriculum, which will include technical courses on engines, diagnostics and shop practices. Students will also have to take English, science and public speaking, and serve a paid internship as a dealership technician after their first year.

So far, 40 students have registered for Fort Scott’s Harley classes, and the program has a waiting list. Harley-Davidson Motor Co. has more than 650 dealerships in the United States.

WEIRD NEWS: STRETCHED AND RAKED Rick Dozier of Georgetown, Kentucky, and three friends have broken the record for the longest motorcycle in the world, stretching 29 feet 11 inches, and built from scratch. The previous record was held by an Australian man whose motorcycle was 24 feet 11 inches long.

QUOTABLE QUOTES: “We have given away far too many freedoms in order to be free. Now it’s time to take some back.”John le Carre (1931- ), English novelist, author of “The Spy Who Came In From The Cold”